Is It OK To Use Fake Tan While Pregnant?

People use fake tan for a variety of reasons. Whether you want to achieve that sultry sun-kissed look or is going for a more bronzed beach babe look, a fake tan might seem like your best bet. Women generally fake tan to help them feel confident and desirable in the way they look. Using a fake tan helps even out the skin tone, fade the appearance of stretch marks, and cover up blemishes. However, if you are a pregnant woman, it’s important to figure out if fake tanning is an option for you. In this post, we help you understand how to achieve that gorgeous bronzed look without harming your baby or health in any way.

Here’s Why You Can Use Fake Tan Creams & Lotions

As far as fake tan creams and lotions go, they are considered safe to use while pregnant. However, it is recommended that pregnant women stay away from spray tans as the effects of inhaling the fumes are still unknown (1).

If you’ve ever wondered how fake tan works, the active ingredient present in the formula dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is responsible for giving you the tan. DHA is a non-toxic substance that produces a brown pigment melanoidin after reacting with the outermost layer of the skin. DHA is considered to be safe as it doesn’t get absorbed into the body and works only on the surface of the skin. This property makes it safe to use while pregnant as it cannot cause any harmful effects on your baby.

Though they are generally safe for pregnant women, fake tan products do carry a risk of causing an allergic reaction. Pregnant women go through a huge hormonal change, which sometimes results in sensitive skin. Therefore, it is best to practice caution and do a patch test first before trying out any product to ensure that it doesn’t cause any allergic reaction.

Tanning Pills & Its Safety

Tanning pills may be the new trend in the fake tan market, but it comes with several side effects (2). Though such pills may be successful in giving you the coveted tanned look, they aren’t considered safe and are banned in countries like the UK. Tanning pills are made of ingredients such as beta-carotene or canthaxanthin that are used for food coloring purposes. These ingredients are present in large quantities and can be harmful to the unborn baby when taken by a pregnant woman. They can also cause retinal damage as well as hepatitis. Hence it shouldn’t be used by anyone.

How Safe Are Tanning Beds?

There is no evidence that proves that tanning beds are unsafe for pregnant women (3). However, doctors and experts recommend staying away from any activity that may raise your body temperature as overheating is linked to spinal malformation in the fetus.

Is It Safe To Get Suntanned During Pregnancy?

If you are planning to bronze your skin the good old-fashioned way by sitting on the beach, know that pregnancy can make your skin extra sensitive, and exposure to the sun can result in skin conditions such as hives, heat rash, and worsened chloasma (4). If you are pregnant, it is best to stay in the shade. Also, make sure you stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and protect your skin by applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Long hours in the sun could also lead to nausea and dizziness, in which case it’s best to move to an air-conditioned room.

So what’s the verdict? The best way to get a tan during pregnancy is by using a tan cream or lotion. Just make sure to discuss it with your doctor, and don’t forget to do a patch test first.

If you found this post helpful, feel free to share it with your friends to let them know the best way to get a fake tan while pregnant.

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